Speaking at Veterans' Day for Operations Outside the Borders of the State ceremonies beside the World-War-Two destroyer ORP Błyskawica, the minister said putting the draft law to a vote at the Polish parliament’s lower house (Sejm)’s 3-4 June sitting would be “the greatest expression of gratitude” the nation could show its servicemen and women.
“I believe we will display that unity […] I simply cannot imagine anyone protesting,” Kosiniak-Kamysz told veterans, sailors and cadets assembled on Gdynia’s Kościuszko Square.
The cabinet-backed amendment to the 2011 Veterans Act, approved on 20 May, would pay wounded peacekeepers, soldiers, police and fire-rescue personnel PLN 6,000 ($1,600) for every percentage point of medically certified disability – covering physical or psychological harm and loss of earning capacity.
Kosiniak-Kamysz said the measure “removes bureaucratic accretions” and “treats all injured veterans equally.”
Poland has taken part in overseas operations since 1953 and first deployed UN peacekeepers in 1973.
Its National Veterans Day, marked each 29 May, coincides with the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers.
(jh)
Source: PAP